Using macOS without an Apple ID?

I am thinking about buying myself a mac. The problem is that I don’t want to use my Mac with my AppleID because I am very afraid that it will sync with my other apple devices and I’m not a big fan of this at all. I also don’t want to maintain a seperate AppleID. Do I really need an AppleID for macOS and which parts of macOS I cannot use without an AppleID ?

macos apple-id

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asked Jan 5 at 23:14

EmilEmil

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9

1

I am thinking about buying myself a mac. The problem is that I don’t want to use my Mac with my AppleID because I am very afraid that it will sync with my other apple devices and I’m not a big fan of this at all. I also don’t want to maintain a seperate AppleID. Do I really need an AppleID for macOS and which parts of macOS I cannot use without an AppleID ?

macos apple-id

share|improve this question

asked Jan 5 at 23:14

EmilEmil

463

add a comment |

9

1

9

1

9

1

I am thinking about buying myself a mac. The problem is that I don’t want to use my Mac with my AppleID because I am very afraid that it will sync with my other apple devices and I’m not a big fan of this at all. I also don’t want to maintain a seperate AppleID. Do I really need an AppleID for macOS and which parts of macOS I cannot use without an AppleID ?

macos apple-id

share|improve this question

asked Jan 5 at 23:14

EmilEmil

463

I am thinking about buying myself a mac. The problem is that I don’t want to use my Mac with my AppleID because I am very afraid that it will sync with my other apple devices and I’m not a big fan of this at all. I also don’t want to maintain a seperate AppleID. Do I really need an AppleID for macOS and which parts of macOS I cannot use without an AppleID ?

macos apple-id

macos apple-id

share|improve this question

asked Jan 5 at 23:14

EmilEmil

463

share|improve this question

asked Jan 5 at 23:14

EmilEmil

463

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

asked Jan 5 at 23:14

EmilEmil

463

asked Jan 5 at 23:14

EmilEmil

463

asked Jan 5 at 23:14

EmilEmil

463

463

add a comment |

add a comment |

5 Answers5

active

oldest

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11

No, you do not absolutely need one.

It is mostly used for synchronizing with your other devices, which you’ve stated that you do not want anyways.

However it will still be most practical if you create a new Apple-ID to be used exclusively for that computer. If you do not, you’ll not be able to download software from the App Store.

Note that you do not have to enter that Apple-ID in any of the systems that would otherwise sync data. Your files, photos, calendars, mails, contacts, etc. will stay completely private and not synced with anything, even if you use an Apple-ID for purchasing or otherwise downloading software from Apple.

share|improve this answer

edited Jan 6 at 15:12

nohillside♦

51k13109149

answered Jan 5 at 23:20

jksoegaardjksoegaard

16.1k1643

1

AFAIK you still get security updates without an Apple ID. But that’s it.

– Michael HamptonJan 6 at 20:17

add a comment |

7

The problem is that I don’t want to use my Mac with my AppleID because I am very afraid that it will sync with my other apple devices and I’m not a big fan of this at all.

You can turn off sync and iCloud which will stop devices syncing.

Do I really need an AppleID for macOS and which parts of macOS I cannot use without an AppleID

An Apple ID is heavily recommended. A lot of services will be disabled. You won’t be able to download any apps from the App Store or iTunes.

These are some of the most widely used services that you access with
your Apple ID:

For what it’s worth, I’ve never used most of those, despite doing an awful lot of things with my Mac. I do have an Apple ID, but only ever use it to update a few Apple productivity apps: I sign in, update them, and sign out again. All my other apps were installed directly (not through the Store), and I’ve never had any desire to use any of the other features on that list. Maybe I’m just showing my age 🙂 Anyway, yes, it is very possible to use a Mac without an Apple ID!

– giddsJan 6 at 16:48

1

Oh, and you may need an Apple ID if you get your Mac repaired at an Apple Store. But you could cross that bridge if/when you need to.

– giddsJan 6 at 16:50

add a comment |

1

No you don’t need one at all. I don’t get what with those recommendations. Just like Windows 10, you will not able to sync to iCloud (equivalent of OneDrive), download apps from the store, sync contacts, photos and pretty much all apple services that needs an apple id.

You can still perform updates, sideload apps with pkg or app extension.

Thats about it.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 7 at 3:33

kachan64kachan64

111

You can download apps from Windows Store without logging in! +1 For Windows

– FreeSoftwareServersJan 7 at 5:22

True That, but maybe not updating?

– kachan64Jan 8 at 1:22

add a comment |

0

It would seem to me that you could setup the new Mac using an account tied to your Apple ID. You can set this account up to not sync with your other machines. You could also create another account which does not have an Apple Id. You could then choose which account to login to.

I assume if you sign out of iCloud before logging out, the the account will not sync. You could then always log in to the account without an Apple Id. You would only log in to the account with the Apple Id when you want to use the Apps Store.

A more drastic approach would be to actually delete the account with the Apple Id after downloading from the Apps Store.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 6 at 13:17

David AndersonDavid Anderson

12.3k41643

add a comment |

0

I have a Mac that is not associated with an Apple ID. There are a few caveats such as being unable to obtain software from The App Store and content from services listed in Daniil Manokhin’s answer.

Software can generally be found from other sources such as vendors’ websites with the exception of new operating system versions. These can be copied from another Mac that is associated with an account or they can sometimes be found on the internet from sources of varying repute.

Post as a guest

5 Answers5

5 Answers5

It is mostly used for synchronizing with your other devices, which you’ve stated that you do not want anyways.

However it will still be most practical if you create a new Apple-ID to be used exclusively for that computer. If you do not, you’ll not be able to download software from the App Store.

Note that you do not have to enter that Apple-ID in any of the systems that would otherwise sync data. Your files, photos, calendars, mails, contacts, etc. will stay completely private and not synced with anything, even if you use an Apple-ID for purchasing or otherwise downloading software from Apple.

share|improve this answer

edited Jan 6 at 15:12

nohillside♦

51k13109149

answered Jan 5 at 23:20

jksoegaardjksoegaard

16.1k1643

1

AFAIK you still get security updates without an Apple ID. But that’s it.

– Michael HamptonJan 6 at 20:17

add a comment |

11

No, you do not absolutely need one.

It is mostly used for synchronizing with your other devices, which you’ve stated that you do not want anyways.

However it will still be most practical if you create a new Apple-ID to be used exclusively for that computer. If you do not, you’ll not be able to download software from the App Store.

Note that you do not have to enter that Apple-ID in any of the systems that would otherwise sync data. Your files, photos, calendars, mails, contacts, etc. will stay completely private and not synced with anything, even if you use an Apple-ID for purchasing or otherwise downloading software from Apple.

share|improve this answer

edited Jan 6 at 15:12

nohillside♦

51k13109149

answered Jan 5 at 23:20

jksoegaardjksoegaard

16.1k1643

1

AFAIK you still get security updates without an Apple ID. But that’s it.

– Michael HamptonJan 6 at 20:17

add a comment |

11

11

11

No, you do not absolutely need one.

It is mostly used for synchronizing with your other devices, which you’ve stated that you do not want anyways.

However it will still be most practical if you create a new Apple-ID to be used exclusively for that computer. If you do not, you’ll not be able to download software from the App Store.

Note that you do not have to enter that Apple-ID in any of the systems that would otherwise sync data. Your files, photos, calendars, mails, contacts, etc. will stay completely private and not synced with anything, even if you use an Apple-ID for purchasing or otherwise downloading software from Apple.

share|improve this answer

edited Jan 6 at 15:12

nohillside♦

51k13109149

answered Jan 5 at 23:20

jksoegaardjksoegaard

16.1k1643

No, you do not absolutely need one.

It is mostly used for synchronizing with your other devices, which you’ve stated that you do not want anyways.

However it will still be most practical if you create a new Apple-ID to be used exclusively for that computer. If you do not, you’ll not be able to download software from the App Store.

Note that you do not have to enter that Apple-ID in any of the systems that would otherwise sync data. Your files, photos, calendars, mails, contacts, etc. will stay completely private and not synced with anything, even if you use an Apple-ID for purchasing or otherwise downloading software from Apple.

share|improve this answer

edited Jan 6 at 15:12

nohillside♦

51k13109149

answered Jan 5 at 23:20

jksoegaardjksoegaard

16.1k1643

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited Jan 6 at 15:12

nohillside♦

51k13109149

edited Jan 6 at 15:12

nohillside♦

51k13109149

edited Jan 6 at 15:12

nohillside♦

51k13109149

51k13109149

answered Jan 5 at 23:20

jksoegaardjksoegaard

16.1k1643

answered Jan 5 at 23:20

jksoegaardjksoegaard

16.1k1643

answered Jan 5 at 23:20

jksoegaardjksoegaard

16.1k1643

16.1k1643

1

AFAIK you still get security updates without an Apple ID. But that’s it.

– Michael HamptonJan 6 at 20:17

add a comment |

1

AFAIK you still get security updates without an Apple ID. But that’s it.

– Michael HamptonJan 6 at 20:17

1

1

AFAIK you still get security updates without an Apple ID. But that’s it.

– Michael HamptonJan 6 at 20:17

AFAIK you still get security updates without an Apple ID. But that’s it.

– Michael HamptonJan 6 at 20:17

add a comment |

7

The problem is that I don’t want to use my Mac with my AppleID because I am very afraid that it will sync with my other apple devices and I’m not a big fan of this at all.

You can turn off sync and iCloud which will stop devices syncing.

Do I really need an AppleID for macOS and which parts of macOS I cannot use without an AppleID

An Apple ID is heavily recommended. A lot of services will be disabled. You won’t be able to download any apps from the App Store or iTunes.

These are some of the most widely used services that you access with
your Apple ID:

For what it’s worth, I’ve never used most of those, despite doing an awful lot of things with my Mac. I do have an Apple ID, but only ever use it to update a few Apple productivity apps: I sign in, update them, and sign out again. All my other apps were installed directly (not through the Store), and I’ve never had any desire to use any of the other features on that list. Maybe I’m just showing my age 🙂 Anyway, yes, it is very possible to use a Mac without an Apple ID!

– giddsJan 6 at 16:48

1

Oh, and you may need an Apple ID if you get your Mac repaired at an Apple Store. But you could cross that bridge if/when you need to.

– giddsJan 6 at 16:50

add a comment |

7

The problem is that I don’t want to use my Mac with my AppleID because I am very afraid that it will sync with my other apple devices and I’m not a big fan of this at all.

You can turn off sync and iCloud which will stop devices syncing.

Do I really need an AppleID for macOS and which parts of macOS I cannot use without an AppleID

An Apple ID is heavily recommended. A lot of services will be disabled. You won’t be able to download any apps from the App Store or iTunes.

These are some of the most widely used services that you access with
your Apple ID:

For what it’s worth, I’ve never used most of those, despite doing an awful lot of things with my Mac. I do have an Apple ID, but only ever use it to update a few Apple productivity apps: I sign in, update them, and sign out again. All my other apps were installed directly (not through the Store), and I’ve never had any desire to use any of the other features on that list. Maybe I’m just showing my age 🙂 Anyway, yes, it is very possible to use a Mac without an Apple ID!

– giddsJan 6 at 16:48

1

Oh, and you may need an Apple ID if you get your Mac repaired at an Apple Store. But you could cross that bridge if/when you need to.

– giddsJan 6 at 16:50

add a comment |

7

7

7

The problem is that I don’t want to use my Mac with my AppleID because I am very afraid that it will sync with my other apple devices and I’m not a big fan of this at all.

You can turn off sync and iCloud which will stop devices syncing.

Do I really need an AppleID for macOS and which parts of macOS I cannot use without an AppleID

An Apple ID is heavily recommended. A lot of services will be disabled. You won’t be able to download any apps from the App Store or iTunes.

These are some of the most widely used services that you access with
your Apple ID:

For what it’s worth, I’ve never used most of those, despite doing an awful lot of things with my Mac. I do have an Apple ID, but only ever use it to update a few Apple productivity apps: I sign in, update them, and sign out again. All my other apps were installed directly (not through the Store), and I’ve never had any desire to use any of the other features on that list. Maybe I’m just showing my age 🙂 Anyway, yes, it is very possible to use a Mac without an Apple ID!

– giddsJan 6 at 16:48

1

Oh, and you may need an Apple ID if you get your Mac repaired at an Apple Store. But you could cross that bridge if/when you need to.

– giddsJan 6 at 16:50

add a comment |

2

For what it’s worth, I’ve never used most of those, despite doing an awful lot of things with my Mac. I do have an Apple ID, but only ever use it to update a few Apple productivity apps: I sign in, update them, and sign out again. All my other apps were installed directly (not through the Store), and I’ve never had any desire to use any of the other features on that list. Maybe I’m just showing my age 🙂 Anyway, yes, it is very possible to use a Mac without an Apple ID!

– giddsJan 6 at 16:48

1

Oh, and you may need an Apple ID if you get your Mac repaired at an Apple Store. But you could cross that bridge if/when you need to.

– giddsJan 6 at 16:50

2

2

For what it’s worth, I’ve never used most of those, despite doing an awful lot of things with my Mac. I do have an Apple ID, but only ever use it to update a few Apple productivity apps: I sign in, update them, and sign out again. All my other apps were installed directly (not through the Store), and I’ve never had any desire to use any of the other features on that list. Maybe I’m just showing my age 🙂 Anyway, yes, it is very possible to use a Mac without an Apple ID!

– giddsJan 6 at 16:48

For what it’s worth, I’ve never used most of those, despite doing an awful lot of things with my Mac. I do have an Apple ID, but only ever use it to update a few Apple productivity apps: I sign in, update them, and sign out again. All my other apps were installed directly (not through the Store), and I’ve never had any desire to use any of the other features on that list. Maybe I’m just showing my age 🙂 Anyway, yes, it is very possible to use a Mac without an Apple ID!

– giddsJan 6 at 16:48

1

1

Oh, and you may need an Apple ID if you get your Mac repaired at an Apple Store. But you could cross that bridge if/when you need to.

– giddsJan 6 at 16:50

Oh, and you may need an Apple ID if you get your Mac repaired at an Apple Store. But you could cross that bridge if/when you need to.

– giddsJan 6 at 16:50

add a comment |

1

No you don’t need one at all. I don’t get what with those recommendations. Just like Windows 10, you will not able to sync to iCloud (equivalent of OneDrive), download apps from the store, sync contacts, photos and pretty much all apple services that needs an apple id.

You can still perform updates, sideload apps with pkg or app extension.

Thats about it.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 7 at 3:33

kachan64kachan64

111

You can download apps from Windows Store without logging in! +1 For Windows

– FreeSoftwareServersJan 7 at 5:22

True That, but maybe not updating?

– kachan64Jan 8 at 1:22

add a comment |

1

No you don’t need one at all. I don’t get what with those recommendations. Just like Windows 10, you will not able to sync to iCloud (equivalent of OneDrive), download apps from the store, sync contacts, photos and pretty much all apple services that needs an apple id.

You can still perform updates, sideload apps with pkg or app extension.

Thats about it.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 7 at 3:33

kachan64kachan64

111

You can download apps from Windows Store without logging in! +1 For Windows

– FreeSoftwareServersJan 7 at 5:22

True That, but maybe not updating?

– kachan64Jan 8 at 1:22

add a comment |

1

1

1

No you don’t need one at all. I don’t get what with those recommendations. Just like Windows 10, you will not able to sync to iCloud (equivalent of OneDrive), download apps from the store, sync contacts, photos and pretty much all apple services that needs an apple id.

You can still perform updates, sideload apps with pkg or app extension.

Thats about it.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 7 at 3:33

kachan64kachan64

111

No you don’t need one at all. I don’t get what with those recommendations. Just like Windows 10, you will not able to sync to iCloud (equivalent of OneDrive), download apps from the store, sync contacts, photos and pretty much all apple services that needs an apple id.

You can still perform updates, sideload apps with pkg or app extension.

Thats about it.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 7 at 3:33

kachan64kachan64

111

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 7 at 3:33

kachan64kachan64

111

answered Jan 7 at 3:33

kachan64kachan64

111

answered Jan 7 at 3:33

kachan64kachan64

111

111

You can download apps from Windows Store without logging in! +1 For Windows

– FreeSoftwareServersJan 7 at 5:22

True That, but maybe not updating?

– kachan64Jan 8 at 1:22

add a comment |

You can download apps from Windows Store without logging in! +1 For Windows

– FreeSoftwareServersJan 7 at 5:22

True That, but maybe not updating?

– kachan64Jan 8 at 1:22

You can download apps from Windows Store without logging in! +1 For Windows

– FreeSoftwareServersJan 7 at 5:22

You can download apps from Windows Store without logging in! +1 For Windows

– FreeSoftwareServersJan 7 at 5:22

True That, but maybe not updating?

– kachan64Jan 8 at 1:22

True That, but maybe not updating?

– kachan64Jan 8 at 1:22

add a comment |

0

It would seem to me that you could setup the new Mac using an account tied to your Apple ID. You can set this account up to not sync with your other machines. You could also create another account which does not have an Apple Id. You could then choose which account to login to.

I assume if you sign out of iCloud before logging out, the the account will not sync. You could then always log in to the account without an Apple Id. You would only log in to the account with the Apple Id when you want to use the Apps Store.

A more drastic approach would be to actually delete the account with the Apple Id after downloading from the Apps Store.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 6 at 13:17

David AndersonDavid Anderson

12.3k41643

add a comment |

0

It would seem to me that you could setup the new Mac using an account tied to your Apple ID. You can set this account up to not sync with your other machines. You could also create another account which does not have an Apple Id. You could then choose which account to login to.

I assume if you sign out of iCloud before logging out, the the account will not sync. You could then always log in to the account without an Apple Id. You would only log in to the account with the Apple Id when you want to use the Apps Store.

A more drastic approach would be to actually delete the account with the Apple Id after downloading from the Apps Store.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 6 at 13:17

David AndersonDavid Anderson

12.3k41643

add a comment |

0

0

0

It would seem to me that you could setup the new Mac using an account tied to your Apple ID. You can set this account up to not sync with your other machines. You could also create another account which does not have an Apple Id. You could then choose which account to login to.

I assume if you sign out of iCloud before logging out, the the account will not sync. You could then always log in to the account without an Apple Id. You would only log in to the account with the Apple Id when you want to use the Apps Store.

A more drastic approach would be to actually delete the account with the Apple Id after downloading from the Apps Store.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 6 at 13:17

David AndersonDavid Anderson

12.3k41643

It would seem to me that you could setup the new Mac using an account tied to your Apple ID. You can set this account up to not sync with your other machines. You could also create another account which does not have an Apple Id. You could then choose which account to login to.

I assume if you sign out of iCloud before logging out, the the account will not sync. You could then always log in to the account without an Apple Id. You would only log in to the account with the Apple Id when you want to use the Apps Store.

A more drastic approach would be to actually delete the account with the Apple Id after downloading from the Apps Store.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 6 at 13:17

David AndersonDavid Anderson

12.3k41643

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 6 at 13:17

David AndersonDavid Anderson

12.3k41643

answered Jan 6 at 13:17

David AndersonDavid Anderson

12.3k41643

answered Jan 6 at 13:17

David AndersonDavid Anderson

12.3k41643

12.3k41643

add a comment |

add a comment |

0

I have a Mac that is not associated with an Apple ID. There are a few caveats such as being unable to obtain software from The App Store and content from services listed in Daniil Manokhin’s answer.

Software can generally be found from other sources such as vendors’ websites with the exception of new operating system versions. These can be copied from another Mac that is associated with an account or they can sometimes be found on the internet from sources of varying repute.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 6 at 15:02

Wes TolemanWes Toleman

1313

add a comment |

0

I have a Mac that is not associated with an Apple ID. There are a few caveats such as being unable to obtain software from The App Store and content from services listed in Daniil Manokhin’s answer.

Software can generally be found from other sources such as vendors’ websites with the exception of new operating system versions. These can be copied from another Mac that is associated with an account or they can sometimes be found on the internet from sources of varying repute.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 6 at 15:02

Wes TolemanWes Toleman

1313

add a comment |

0

0

0

I have a Mac that is not associated with an Apple ID. There are a few caveats such as being unable to obtain software from The App Store and content from services listed in Daniil Manokhin’s answer.

Software can generally be found from other sources such as vendors’ websites with the exception of new operating system versions. These can be copied from another Mac that is associated with an account or they can sometimes be found on the internet from sources of varying repute.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 6 at 15:02

Wes TolemanWes Toleman

1313

I have a Mac that is not associated with an Apple ID. There are a few caveats such as being unable to obtain software from The App Store and content from services listed in Daniil Manokhin’s answer.

Software can generally be found from other sources such as vendors’ websites with the exception of new operating system versions. These can be copied from another Mac that is associated with an account or they can sometimes be found on the internet from sources of varying repute.

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 6 at 15:02

Wes TolemanWes Toleman

1313

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Jan 6 at 15:02

Wes TolemanWes Toleman

1313

answered Jan 6 at 15:02

Wes TolemanWes Toleman

1313

answered Jan 6 at 15:02

Wes TolemanWes Toleman

1313

1313

add a comment |

add a comment |

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